Awujale: DSS Summons Nominees As Ogun Govt Suspends Selection Process

For the second time, the Ogun State government has ordered the indefinite suspension of the ongoing selection process for a new Awujale-Ode and paramount ruler of Ijebuland, citing the need to maintain public order and protect the integrity of the process.

The state government’s order  was contained in a letter issued on 20th January, 2026, by the commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Ganiyu Hamzat, and addressed to the chairman of Ijebu-Ode local government area.

Hamzat premised the government’s decision to “immediately” suspend the selection process on rising tensions, a plethora of petitions, and unfavourable reports from security agencies and key stakeholders.

The Commissioner explained that it became highly imperative for the government to act proactively without further delay because of the need to protect the status and high esteem which the immediate past occupant of the Awujale stool, Oba Sikiru Adetona, who reigned for 65 years, placed the stool in Yorubaland and particularly in Ogun State, where it is one of the paramount stools.

“These realities place a lot of focus, attention and scrutiny on the process by which the next Awujale-elect emerges. In order to maintain public order, protect the integrity of the process and maintain the veneration of the stool, it has become imperative to halt the selection process for the stool at this time”.

Hamzat further explained that the Prince Dapo Abiodun-led administration derived its power to suspend the entire process from the provisions of the Obas and Chiefs’ Law of Ogun State 2021 (as amended), which empower the state government to intervene where necessary.

“Government has had due regard to the provisions of the Obas and Chiefs’ Law of Ogun State, 2021, which empower it to set aside an appointment if the Executive Council is satisfied that it is in the interest of peace, order and good government to do so,” he noted.

“Given the reports at its disposal, the government has elected to act proactively without further delay in the interest of peace, order and good government by halting the process in its entirety,” Hamzat said.

The Commissioner, however, directed the Chairman of Ijebu-Ode Local Government Area to immediately communicate the government’s decision to the Awujale Kingmakers Council and the Fusengbuwa Ruling House.

“The Fusengbuwa Ruling House, in particular, should be advised to await further directives regarding the selection process,” the letter stated.

Though Hamzat in the letter was silent about the possible time when the selection process would resume, LEADERSHIP, however, observed that the development is expected to temporarily pause activities surrounding the highly anticipated succession to the Awujale throne.

It would be recalled that the state government had earlier, in December 2025, initially suspended the selection process over what it described as “procedural errors” and directed the Fusengbuwa Ruling House to restart the process in line with extant chieftaincy laws.

Meanwhile, the Awujale Kingmakers’ Council has cancelled a “meet-and-greet” exercise earlier planned for all the Awujale nominees, which was scheduled to be held at the Awujale Palace on Wednesday, 21st January 2206.

Consequently, all the Awujale nominees were directed to report to the Ijebu-Ode office of the Department of State Services (DSS), where they were initially expected to assemble for profiling as part of standard security vetting of the Awujale selection process.

LEADERSHIP gathered that this development was contained in a letter dated January 20, 2026, addressed to the Olórí Ẹbí of Fusengbuwa, Otunba Lateef Owoyemi; his deputy, Otunba Dokun Ajidagbaand Chief Prof. Fassy Yusuf and signed by the Secretary of the Awujale Kingmakers’ Council, Chief Ayotunde Ola Odulaja, who urged all nominees to comply strictly with the directive.

According to the letter, all Awujale nominees were instructed to present themselves at the DSS office located along NTA Road, beside the State Psychiatric Hospital, off Igbeba Road, Ijebu-Ode, by 11:00 a.m. prompt.

The letter read in part: “We write to formally inform you that the meet-and-greet earlier scheduled for this morning at the Aafin Awujale has been cancelled.”

“Accordingly, the Awujale nominees are hereby directed to report to the Department of State Services (DSS) office located at State Security Service (SSS), along NTA Road, beside the State Psychiatric Hospital, off Igbeba Road, Ijebu-Ode at 11:00 a.m. prompt.

“We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this change may cause. Kindly ensure that all concerned nominees are punctual and comply strictly with this directive”.